Emmanuel Home history

In 1867, the congregation’s second pastor, Jonas Swenson, started the Andover Children’s Home.

A group of seventeen men and women and Pastor P.A. Pihlgren met May 17, 1875 to form the beginnings of our present church.

Augustana Lutheran Church traces its roots to a small group of Swedes who met September 20, 1878 to adopt a constitution for their church, Swedish Evangelical Augustana Church in Denver.

In 1880, the first church building was erected at the intersection of 18th and Welton and the congregation grew quickly along with Denver.

Construction on the new church began in 1889, with the final cost a whopping $35,000! Pictured at right is some of the construction crew working on the new church at 6th & Court.

In 1918, the congregation established the Augustana Lutheran Home, a home for the aged and a place for women and travelers.

In 1919, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, an international Catholic religious congregation, opened Emmanuel College as the first Catholic college for women in New England.

By the time the 60th anniversary came around in 1938, Augustana had about 1,400 members.

The communion rail had been opened in the center in 1942 to allow access to the chancel from the front.

In 1954, Augustana began plans to move to its current location on Alameda Avenue.

The building, which then included the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, and office wing, was dedicated on September 20, 1959.

At the time of the consolidation that formed the Lutheran Church in America in 1962, Augustana evidenced:

The Emmanuel Seniors Living Society (formerly Christian Senior Citizens Home Society of Northern Alberta) was registered as a charitable not-for-profit society under the Government of Alberta’s Societies Act in 1968.

Emmanuel Home first opened its doors as a brand-new seniors living facility in 1972, offering 36 suites and several lodge-style accommodations.

In 1976, Augustana installed the first female pastor in Nebraska—Lora Gross.

In May of 1994, construction began on a new 51-suite wing, now called the Centre Wing, to expand our retirement community.

The newly expanded Emmanuel Home was officially opened on September 30, 1995.

In 2001, the College officially became a coeducational institution, expanding its educational mission to include young men in its undergraduate arts and sciences program.

In 2009, the College partnered with the City of Boston to restore Roberto Clemente Field, across the street from campus, to serve as Emmanuel's home athletic field.

In 2012, the facility was expanded further to include the East Wing with the addition of 56 new suites.

In 2013, Emmanuel completed the restoration of the historic Administration Building.

In 2018, the College opened it's newest and largest building, an 18-story, apartment-style residence hall for upperclass students, on the site where Julie Hall once stood.

And in 2019, the College marked it's Centennial with celebrations that reflected on 100 years of transformative educational experiences and the bold, entrepreneurial spirit that enabled the College to thrive amid changes in society and in higher education.

In April of 2020, the facility was expanded further to include the North Wing with the addition of 50 new suites, a large Common area, including a Café, for all residents to enjoy.